West Central Neighborhood Association (WCNA)

Plan Committee Meeting

Report

February 8, 2010

Attendees: Committee Members: Joanne Bruce, Tom Cain, Joe Francis, Russ Garriott, Scott Greider, David Long, Barbara Schoppman, Nancy Schoenle. Guests: Sherese Fortreide, Pat Fahey

Our guests for the evening, Sherese Fortreide from the city and Pat Fahey from the county, came to discuss the recently released draft manual for Downtown Design Standards. The manual and resulting design standards for new development and the redevelopment of existing buildings downtown are the results of a request by the Fort Wayne city council. These standards will apply only to the areas downtown that are zoned CM5A and CM5B. Any buildings protected by a Local Historic Designation will be exempt from the requirements of these design standards as they are subject to review by the Historic Preservation Commission. An amendment to the Fort Wayne zoning ordinance will implement the requirements of the design manual.

The call for a design manual, which is a feature of many other cities, was initiated in July 2009. A team of city and county staffers were chosen to head up the project. They received guidance from an eight-member review group that included representatives from the city council, the Downtown Improvement District, the Plan Commission, local architects and downtown property and business owners. They received technical and design assistance from the Indianapolis architect firm RATIO Architects.

The objectives of the project were:

· To implement the design-based recommendations of the Plan-It Allen Comprehensive Plan, the Downtown Blue-Print, Blue-Print Plus and the Around the Square Sub Area Plan;

· To preserve and enhance the unique character of downtown by maintaining the integrity of areas with special significance;

· To foster attractive and functional design solutions;

· To protect and encourage public and private investments;

· To encourage new development and redevelopment which is compatible with the character and pattern of existing development;

· To provide design direction to property owners, developers, designers, and decision-makers;

· To create a quality, user-friendly Downtown Design Manual and accompanying Downtown Zoning Ordinance Amendment.

Key project outcomes were:

· To encourage attractive and functional building forms, streetscape and public space design;

· To promote compatibility (of design, character and pattern;

· To increase pedestrian-oriented design;

· To promote the use of high quality, durable materials.

The group sought public input through a web-based downtown design survey that was offered in the Fall of 2009 requesting design-based preferences for different building and site design topic areas. This survey was completed by over 700 participants. The results of the survey were considered by the staff and advisory group in the development of standards and recommendations. (In the draft design manual, the standards noted are to become part of the Zoning Ordinance. The recommendations will serve a review board during the approval process.)

These standards and recommendations will apply to new buildings, building additions and expansions, major façade renovations, site improvements (such as fences, landscaping and site lighting), streetscape improvements (such as sidewalks, street furnishings, and outdoor business activities), and signage. As noted before, properties designated as Local Historic Districts are exempt from Design Manual review.

It is intended that the Plan Commission will establish a Design Review Committee (DRC) to review the applicable project proposals. This committee will be a subcommittee of the Plan Commission and its final composition will be up to the members of the Plan Commission. However, the group recommends that the DRC include two architects, one landscape architect, one Redevelopment representative, one downtown building owner, one construction representative, one Historic Preservation representative, and one Plan Commission member. The DRC will review all the downtown projects listed above and will make recommendations to the Plan Commission, including any requests for variances from the design standards. All decisions of the Plan Commission are subject to appeal.

After the presentation by Ms. Fortreide and Mr. Fahey, committee member Scott Greider expressed his concern that these standards and recommendations will inhibit design innovation and excellence in downtown. He showed several pictures of what he considered innovative and excellent design. This led to a lively discussion that concluded around 9:00 pm.

The city will host an Open House at the Main Branch of the Allen County Public Library on Thursday, February 11, 2010, from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The public is invited.

The next meeting of the Plan Committee will be held on March 8, 2010, at 6:30 pm, at Intrascape, 1401 Broadway.